SC - Newbie question.....Sourdough...

[Jim Hawkins]

Decker, Terry D. wrote:
> 
> > I'm new to the list and the SCA (just got my card yesterday)...
> > Anyway, I was wondering if Sourdough was considered Period....
> >
> The Egyptians discovered sourdough about 3000 BC, so I would have to say it
> is period.
> 
> > Also, along the same "bread" lines....what would you use as a "period"
> > equivalent to what we use for yeast today ??
> >
> The Romans used wine must to leaven bread.  Pliny the Elder commented on the
> Goths using ale barm to leaven their bread and that it was lighter and
> tastier than the Roman bread.
> 
> Sourdough (levain) and ale barm were probably the most common sources of
> yeast in the Middle Ages.
> 
> > Any and all help will be greatly appreciated...
> >
> > Thanx !
> >
> > Jeff (who has only just begun to think about a period name)
> >
> >
> >From the questions, it sounds as though you have an interest in baking.  I
> do a little baking now and then and its always a pleasure to hear from
> someone with similar interests.
> 
> Bon Chance,
> 
> Bear
>

Just to add to this, since Bear has covered much.  They
also used potato water.  This was a prolonged recipe
and it took nearly a week to prepare this.  

As for sourdough, yes it is very period.  One method of
leavening bread was to use a piece of dough left over
from the day before to leaven that days batch.  This
produced a tangy loaf.  

Hope this helps.

Callie
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